PROVO, Utah-Saturday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints conducted its annual mission leadership seminar, featuring addresses from Apostles Quentin L. Cook and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Elder Cook, in speaking of the perilous times that COVID-19 has brought about hearkened back to 1837 when the Panic of 1837 was raging.
However, at this time, the Holy Ghost whispered to Church President Joseph Smith that Heber C. Kimball should leave for a mission to England.
Elder Cook spoke of how Elder Kimball’s “faith and obedience prevailed” as he went on his mission as the Lord had asked.
During this seminar, which was broadcast to 17 countries, Elder Cook called this era “an exciting time to begin missionary service.”
In his remarks, Elder Uchtdorf stated that undoubtedly many of his listeners felt “uncertain and unprepared” for missionary service.
He stated that his audience was not alone in feeling this way and that the Lord knows of their call.
Elder Uchtdorf then went through the “missionary section” of the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 4) and concluded, saying “you are never alone in this work.”
Other speakers included Church President Russell M. Nelson (he testified of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith and how mission presidents and their wives receive the aid of heaven in their efforts) and President Oaks, the first counselor in the Church’s First Presidency (he reminded mission presidents to teach their missionaries that trials are part of the heritage they bear).
Additionally, President Eyring, the second counselor in the First Presidency reminded everyone that mission presidents and their missionaries are never alone in this work.
Acting president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles M. Russell Ballard said we all have the obligation to share the Gospel with others. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles urged everyone to remember the Lord’s two great commandments: loving thy God and loving thy neighbor as thyself.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of repentance and remission of sins and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of The Holy Ghost bearing record of the truth.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of becoming one as the Savior and Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles spoke of the importance of becoming perfected in Christ.
In conclusion, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, the young women’s general president of the Church and a member of the Church’s Missionary Executive Council spoke on being firm in the faith.
As of Wednesday, when new missions are created annually in the Church (July 1), there are currently 406 missions worldwide.
The new missions opening Wednesday include the Brazil Recife South Mission, the Cameroon Yaounde Mission, the Ecuador Guayaquil East Mission, the Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission, the Mozambique Beira Mission, the Tanzania Dar es Salaam Mission, the Texas Austin Mission and the Texas Dallas East Mission.
